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Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler
The start of a brilliantly funny accidental time-travel diary series for tweens. It’s Back to the Future meets Judy Blume, with a 13-year-old girl who tackles timeslip mishaps, laugh-out-loud embarrassing moments, and one unpredictable adventure after another.
Hi! I’m Lily. My birthday is in two weeks and I have a big Every New Year's when the clock strikes midnight, I time travel to a new century. Mind-blowing, right!?
Thank goodness my cat, best friend, and school crush always turn up, too. But I still have a ton of problems… like why is my arch-nemesis, Georgia, so good at ye olde insults? How does anyone survive in Ancient Rome without chicken nuggets? Why are my brother’s clothes so ridiculous in every century? And why on earth can’t I stay in one era!?
Hi! I’m Lily. My birthday is in two weeks and I have a big Every New Year's when the clock strikes midnight, I time travel to a new century. Mind-blowing, right!?
Thank goodness my cat, best friend, and school crush always turn up, too. But I still have a ton of problems… like why is my arch-nemesis, Georgia, so good at ye olde insults? How does anyone survive in Ancient Rome without chicken nuggets? Why are my brother’s clothes so ridiculous in every century? And why on earth can’t I stay in one era!?
368 pages, Paperback
Published May 12, 2026
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March 30, 2026How I would have loved this book as a kid! The humor, the variety of characters and their arcs, the love of books and of history--all of it would have riveted me and caused me to check it out over and over from the library.
As an adult, I appreciated how Tait skillfully sketched in the various periods of history without diving too deep into grotty, cruel, or horrifying. I also appreciated the gentle drift away from the time-worn stereotypes of middle grade characterization. I think I'll buy this one in print for my reading grand niece.
As an adult, I appreciated how Tait skillfully sketched in the various periods of history without diving too deep into grotty, cruel, or horrifying. I also appreciated the gentle drift away from the time-worn stereotypes of middle grade characterization. I think I'll buy this one in print for my reading grand niece.
April 22, 2026
I absolutely adored this book! The concept is so clever: every New Year’s Eve, Lily wakes up in a different century. Her family, friends and crush are all there too, but always in different roles. In the 1600s Lily is a servant to her bully, and her best friend is a kitchen maid. In 1970 they’re all hippies. With every jump, Lily needs to learn the rules of that century, which leads to such funny moments. I couldn’t stop reading! ⏳
The only thing I’ll say is that in my opinion it’s not really a diary-style book. It doesn’t have diary-elements and the vocabulary, grammar and descriptions don’t necessarily sound like something a 12-year-old would write. But the first person POV works wonderfully and Lily’s voice is endearing!
The only thing I’ll say is that in my opinion it’s not really a diary-style book. It doesn’t have diary-elements and the vocabulary, grammar and descriptions don’t necessarily sound like something a 12-year-old would write. But the first person POV works wonderfully and Lily’s voice is endearing!
April 28, 2026
This complimentary ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley dropped me straight into a tween’s whirlwind of thoughts, time travel, and diary confessions, but and honestly, it’s as charming as it is chaotic in the best way.
This middle grade debut from journalist Amelia Tait is a darling read, though admittedly a bit tricky to review through adult eyes. Why? Because most of the challenges I noticed likely won’t register at all with the target audience—so I’m leaning into what this book does well.
Let’s start with the audiobook. The narration by Kerry Gilbert is wonderfully distinct, featuring an accent you don’t often hear in audiobooks. It’s well executed and adds authenticity, though I can see it taking a moment for some American listeners to adjust. The pacing is deliberate at 1x speed—clear and intentional—and while I had no problem speeding it up, younger listeners or those unfamiliar with the dialect might need a bit of time to settle in. That said, the performance absolutely nails that teenage tone, complete with emotional swings and that perfectly captured angst that makes it feel so real.
I do wish I had experienced this as an immersion read. The story unfolds through diary entries, and I think pairing the audio with the visual text would have elevated it even more. Still, even just through audio, the diary format feels incredibly authentic, right down to the scattered thoughts, interruptions, and those little “sorry, diary!” moments that are so quintessentially tween. It might occasionally feel a bit much from an adult perspective, but for the intended audience? It’s spot on.
The time travel element was a standout for me. It’s fun, engaging, and sneaks in educational moments without ever feeling heavy-handed even though the “why” she experiences this was never fully explored, but I digress… Lilly’s jumps between different time periods keep the story moving and naturally cater to shorter attention spans, while also sparking curiosity about history in a way that invites further exploration.
And the humor? It’s sprinkled throughout in a way that I think middle grade readers will absolutely eat up. Even as an adult, I found myself smiling more than once.
Overall, this is a great pick to read alongside a middle grade reader. It opens the door for so many conversations—from historical moments to light touches of early romance—and would make a fantastic addition for parents, teachers, and librarians building out their classroom or home libraries. I’d especially recommend this for readers ages 10–14.
This middle grade debut from journalist Amelia Tait is a darling read, though admittedly a bit tricky to review through adult eyes. Why? Because most of the challenges I noticed likely won’t register at all with the target audience—so I’m leaning into what this book does well.
Let’s start with the audiobook. The narration by Kerry Gilbert is wonderfully distinct, featuring an accent you don’t often hear in audiobooks. It’s well executed and adds authenticity, though I can see it taking a moment for some American listeners to adjust. The pacing is deliberate at 1x speed—clear and intentional—and while I had no problem speeding it up, younger listeners or those unfamiliar with the dialect might need a bit of time to settle in. That said, the performance absolutely nails that teenage tone, complete with emotional swings and that perfectly captured angst that makes it feel so real.
I do wish I had experienced this as an immersion read. The story unfolds through diary entries, and I think pairing the audio with the visual text would have elevated it even more. Still, even just through audio, the diary format feels incredibly authentic, right down to the scattered thoughts, interruptions, and those little “sorry, diary!” moments that are so quintessentially tween. It might occasionally feel a bit much from an adult perspective, but for the intended audience? It’s spot on.
The time travel element was a standout for me. It’s fun, engaging, and sneaks in educational moments without ever feeling heavy-handed even though the “why” she experiences this was never fully explored, but I digress… Lilly’s jumps between different time periods keep the story moving and naturally cater to shorter attention spans, while also sparking curiosity about history in a way that invites further exploration.
And the humor? It’s sprinkled throughout in a way that I think middle grade readers will absolutely eat up. Even as an adult, I found myself smiling more than once.
Overall, this is a great pick to read alongside a middle grade reader. It opens the door for so many conversations—from historical moments to light touches of early romance—and would make a fantastic addition for parents, teachers, and librarians building out their classroom or home libraries. I’d especially recommend this for readers ages 10–14.
April 29, 2026
Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler is a whirlwind journey for the ages...throughout the ages. Lily is your typical preteen girl, except that she frequently travels to different periods of time. Thankfully, everyone she knows is still there, only...the new era's version of them. The catch is that Lily is the only one who this is happening too, and it makes life as a preteen even more difficult.
This was a perfectly age appropriate middle grade read! It is engaging with characters that readers will fall for, but it also incorporates a lot of really cool history that Tait brings to life in funny and exciting ways. As an adult reader, I loved watching Lily navigate through 3 different time periods, and seeing how these experiences help her grow as a character. I also really appreciated the author's ability to create a story that shows that growing up is hard, no matter when we happen to be growing up.
This is also a story about friendship, being true to yourself, and celebrating all that makes you weird. I was getting emotional at the ending thinking about how much I needed a book like this when I was in middle school. I needed Lily in my life, and I am so happy that American audiences are getting a chance to meet her.
The narrator, Kerry Gilbert, did a great job bringing Lily and the numerous other characters to life. As a silly American, it always takes me a little bit to adjusted to the British accent, but Gilbert was clear and easy to understand for my uncultured ears.
This is a must read for middle grade readers who like strong female mcs, history, and stories about fitting in. I highly recommend it!
Thank you so much to Macmillan audio for this alc. This is my personal review.
This was a perfectly age appropriate middle grade read! It is engaging with characters that readers will fall for, but it also incorporates a lot of really cool history that Tait brings to life in funny and exciting ways. As an adult reader, I loved watching Lily navigate through 3 different time periods, and seeing how these experiences help her grow as a character. I also really appreciated the author's ability to create a story that shows that growing up is hard, no matter when we happen to be growing up.
This is also a story about friendship, being true to yourself, and celebrating all that makes you weird. I was getting emotional at the ending thinking about how much I needed a book like this when I was in middle school. I needed Lily in my life, and I am so happy that American audiences are getting a chance to meet her.
The narrator, Kerry Gilbert, did a great job bringing Lily and the numerous other characters to life. As a silly American, it always takes me a little bit to adjusted to the British accent, but Gilbert was clear and easy to understand for my uncultured ears.
This is a must read for middle grade readers who like strong female mcs, history, and stories about fitting in. I highly recommend it!
Thank you so much to Macmillan audio for this alc. This is my personal review.
January 26, 2026
I could barely put this book down. From the opening line, Tait brings you into the world of Lily Tripp, and you hardly ever want to leave. It is so much fun to read, filled with vivid descriptions of history and plenty of interesting facts. It is perfect, wonderful, and joyous. Every young person should get the chance to experience life with Lily Tripp!
November 24, 2025
This is MINDBLOWINGLY good! Lottie Brooks fans are going to be obsessed!
May 13, 2026
In Amelia Tait’s book, “Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler”, Lily is a 13-year old who has had some very unique experiences. Starting on her ninth birthday on New Year’s Eve she and her family time traveled to Victorian England and stayed there for a year. Then on her tenth birthday they traveled to Roman Britain for a year. For her eleventh year it was the 1920’s and this last year it was back to 2025. Of course this was going to be the end of the time traveling, right? Wrong! On Lily’s 14th birthday, New Year’s Eve 2025 she travels to 1621 and is accused of being a witch! Will Lily be able to survive these time travels?
Ms. Tait’s book kept me engaged and I didn’t want to put it down. I liked how little pieces (and some big ones) of history were shared and how they were interpreted by the characters in the story. What’s interesting about the time travels is that all the people Lily knows are in the new time period, but she is the only one who is doing the time traveling, the others have no knowledge of the different time periods. One of the take-aways that I found is that the characters personalities remain constant, no matter the time period. Bullies are bullies. Followers are followers. The trick is to keep ones loyal friends and hope that those friends stay loyal in the long run. I could see this book as a series as Lily and friends visit more historical eras! This book would be perfect for middle school readers who like sci-fi and fantasies.
I wish to thank Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the complimentary eARC of this book and for selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#LilyTrippDiaryofanAccidentalTimeTraveler
#MacmillanChildrensPublishingGroup
#NetGalley
#MiddleSchoolers
#TimeTravel
Ms. Tait’s book kept me engaged and I didn’t want to put it down. I liked how little pieces (and some big ones) of history were shared and how they were interpreted by the characters in the story. What’s interesting about the time travels is that all the people Lily knows are in the new time period, but she is the only one who is doing the time traveling, the others have no knowledge of the different time periods. One of the take-aways that I found is that the characters personalities remain constant, no matter the time period. Bullies are bullies. Followers are followers. The trick is to keep ones loyal friends and hope that those friends stay loyal in the long run. I could see this book as a series as Lily and friends visit more historical eras! This book would be perfect for middle school readers who like sci-fi and fantasies.
I wish to thank Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the complimentary eARC of this book and for selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#LilyTrippDiaryofanAccidentalTimeTraveler
#MacmillanChildrensPublishingGroup
#NetGalley
#MiddleSchoolers
#TimeTravel
May 8, 2026
The title alone is enough to entice middle graders to read this. For the last several years Lily Tripp has hated her birthday, which falls on January 1 because she has no idea what century she might wake up in. This fun coming of age story is filled with humor, the magical realism of time travel, middle school angst, and a smattering of history as Lily travels from one time period and location to the next. The diary acts as a special friend whom Lily can commiserate with as she puts up with the messiness along the way, including being forced to be a servant to the mean girl school bully, Georgia, during the 1600s. This well written story is sure to please middle grade readers everywhere. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2026
This was a fun middle grade read. There were several times where I laughed out loud! Lily travels back in time every New Year’s Eve. Her family and friends all go with her, but nobody remembers the time travel except for Lily. I read this as an audiobook and I thoroughly enjoyed the narrators voice. Her inflection and teenage angst were spot on. Lily’s character is very relatable and you feel for her as she grapples with the new rules of each new time period. I thought the author did a marvelous job of bringing in time period facts while still feeling authentic to the story. There are a couple of swear words and Lily talks a lot about her love for Ollie. (This feels very age appropriate and isn’t overly done.)
I would recommend for ages 10-14, for kids who like history or romance.
I would recommend for ages 10-14, for kids who like history or romance.
May 9, 2026
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the time traveling premise of this book and the characters. My only complaint is that I wish the time traveling started earlier and that we saw more of it. Nevertheless, 4 stars!
I loved the time traveling premise of this book and the characters. My only complaint is that I wish the time traveling started earlier and that we saw more of it. Nevertheless, 4 stars!
May 12, 2026
Loved this book it reminded me of Bridget Jones Diary as a 13 year old. Such a good lesson for kids and wish I had this book back when I was 13. The time traveling part was awesome. Since debut book I’m hoping she makes it a series.
March 29, 2026
I received this through a giveaway on GR. It says the age range is 10-14 but I would say 10-12. It is a quick read, funny and thoughtful.
I thought the times traveled to in the past were a bit random.
All in all, an enjoyable book for tweens.
I thought the times traveled to in the past were a bit random.
All in all, an enjoyable book for tweens.
May 14, 2026
What worked:
Time travel is always an intriguing topic, and the author adds a creative twist. Every New Year’s Eve, Lily is transported back in time, along with everyone she knows. However, Lily is the only character aware that it’s happening. These characters maintain their personalities and relationships with Lily, which provides readers with some consistency as the settings change. Lily has a crush on Ollie, but she’s a servant in 1621 and can’t show it. They still share a love for reading and find ways to interact when opportunities arise. Georgia bullies Lily during each time period, but it’s difficult for her to obey Georgia’s orders in 1621.
A main aspect of the story is Lily’s personal growth, as she tries to understand her connections to other characters. Georgia subtly insults Lily in 2025, but Lily doesn’t understand why it happens. She reaches a breaking point in each time period and retaliates against her tormentor. However, her actions have unexpected consequences, forcing her to evaluate her own behavior. Poppy is Lily’s best friend, and Lily admires Poppy’s willingness to be different. Poppy always supports Lily, but their friendship is tested as the plot progresses. Lily is unsure how she feels about Joe. He seems to be a neutral character, although he shares suggestions about how to get revenge against Georgia. Lily eventually must reconsider his influence on her life.
Visits to different time periods provide opportunities for readers to learn about England’s history. People in 1621 were strictly religious, and being accused of witchcraft could be a death sentence. Lily draws suspicion when she refuses to let doctors drain blood from her sick mother and instead makes chicken soup and a concoction of ingredients for congestion. Lily is baffled at the lack of women’s rights in 1621, and she’s angry that there hasn’t been much improvement in 1972. She faces culture shock in 1972 when she doesn’t know about popular music and pop stars. She doesn’t understand why she’s considered different for not wearing a regular bra in 2025, but Georgia insults her for wearing one and not supporting women’s liberation in 1972.
What didn’t work as well:
The jumps to different years in history are creative, but the first half of the plot feels choppy. There’s no explanation for how or why the jumps occur, so readers are left to wonder.
The final verdict:
The time jumps make it more challenging to understand the overall plot, but Lily’s self-actualization is the real story. She encounters the same characters in different time periods and must learn to understand her place among them. I recommend you try this book for yourself.
Time travel is always an intriguing topic, and the author adds a creative twist. Every New Year’s Eve, Lily is transported back in time, along with everyone she knows. However, Lily is the only character aware that it’s happening. These characters maintain their personalities and relationships with Lily, which provides readers with some consistency as the settings change. Lily has a crush on Ollie, but she’s a servant in 1621 and can’t show it. They still share a love for reading and find ways to interact when opportunities arise. Georgia bullies Lily during each time period, but it’s difficult for her to obey Georgia’s orders in 1621.
A main aspect of the story is Lily’s personal growth, as she tries to understand her connections to other characters. Georgia subtly insults Lily in 2025, but Lily doesn’t understand why it happens. She reaches a breaking point in each time period and retaliates against her tormentor. However, her actions have unexpected consequences, forcing her to evaluate her own behavior. Poppy is Lily’s best friend, and Lily admires Poppy’s willingness to be different. Poppy always supports Lily, but their friendship is tested as the plot progresses. Lily is unsure how she feels about Joe. He seems to be a neutral character, although he shares suggestions about how to get revenge against Georgia. Lily eventually must reconsider his influence on her life.
Visits to different time periods provide opportunities for readers to learn about England’s history. People in 1621 were strictly religious, and being accused of witchcraft could be a death sentence. Lily draws suspicion when she refuses to let doctors drain blood from her sick mother and instead makes chicken soup and a concoction of ingredients for congestion. Lily is baffled at the lack of women’s rights in 1621, and she’s angry that there hasn’t been much improvement in 1972. She faces culture shock in 1972 when she doesn’t know about popular music and pop stars. She doesn’t understand why she’s considered different for not wearing a regular bra in 2025, but Georgia insults her for wearing one and not supporting women’s liberation in 1972.
What didn’t work as well:
The jumps to different years in history are creative, but the first half of the plot feels choppy. There’s no explanation for how or why the jumps occur, so readers are left to wonder.
The final verdict:
The time jumps make it more challenging to understand the overall plot, but Lily’s self-actualization is the real story. She encounters the same characters in different time periods and must learn to understand her place among them. I recommend you try this book for yourself.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Lily lives with her accountant parents in England in 2025... most of the time. She has an odd habit of traveling back in time at New Year's Eve, and has spent a year in Victorian England and another in ancient Rome before returning to the present day after wishing on birthday candles. Whenever she travels, the people in her life stay the same. There are her parents, her best friend Poppy, nemesis Georgia, and crush Ollie. A classmate, Joey, often shows up as well. This year, she is determined to find out how Ollie feels about her at a New Year's Eve party, but before she knows it, she wakes up in 1621. This time, she and her family are servants living in Georgia's house! Ollie is also wealthy, but still talks to her. The two still exchange books. Because of her odd habits, and her attempt to make chicken nuggets, Lily is almost accused of being a witch, but before anything happens, travels to 1972. While she enjoys Jackie magazine, she is appalled by the open gym showers and the braless feminists. Lily eventually realizes that Ollie will never like her, not matter what time period they are in, and that Joey is a better friend than she has imagined.
Strengths: British protagonist. Check. Time travel to the past. Check. Light romance. Check. This had all of the elements that I would have adored in middle school. Lily takes the time traveling in stride and blends in fairly well with whatever time period she is inhabiting, even though she keeps her modern sensibility. I liked how the supporting characters stayed essentially the same, but changed slightly depending on the setting. This had plenty of humor, and the romance and friend drama that my readers have been asking for.
Weaknesses: I was never convinced there was a particularly good reason for Lily to time travel, which bothered me. Young readers might not mid as much, but I wanted to know not only why she was time traveling, but how.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who can't get enough time travel books like Saunders' Be switched or Kelly's The First State of Being, but who secretly miss the late Louise Rennison's Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series.
Lily lives with her accountant parents in England in 2025... most of the time. She has an odd habit of traveling back in time at New Year's Eve, and has spent a year in Victorian England and another in ancient Rome before returning to the present day after wishing on birthday candles. Whenever she travels, the people in her life stay the same. There are her parents, her best friend Poppy, nemesis Georgia, and crush Ollie. A classmate, Joey, often shows up as well. This year, she is determined to find out how Ollie feels about her at a New Year's Eve party, but before she knows it, she wakes up in 1621. This time, she and her family are servants living in Georgia's house! Ollie is also wealthy, but still talks to her. The two still exchange books. Because of her odd habits, and her attempt to make chicken nuggets, Lily is almost accused of being a witch, but before anything happens, travels to 1972. While she enjoys Jackie magazine, she is appalled by the open gym showers and the braless feminists. Lily eventually realizes that Ollie will never like her, not matter what time period they are in, and that Joey is a better friend than she has imagined.
Strengths: British protagonist. Check. Time travel to the past. Check. Light romance. Check. This had all of the elements that I would have adored in middle school. Lily takes the time traveling in stride and blends in fairly well with whatever time period she is inhabiting, even though she keeps her modern sensibility. I liked how the supporting characters stayed essentially the same, but changed slightly depending on the setting. This had plenty of humor, and the romance and friend drama that my readers have been asking for.
Weaknesses: I was never convinced there was a particularly good reason for Lily to time travel, which bothered me. Young readers might not mid as much, but I wanted to know not only why she was time traveling, but how.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who can't get enough time travel books like Saunders' Be switched or Kelly's The First State of Being, but who secretly miss the late Louise Rennison's Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series.
May 17, 2026
Informative and entertaining time-slip diary narrative.
Diary structure, which works well. Lily Tripp is coming up to her birthday (at New Year!), she's gathering up the courage to tell her long-time crush at school how she feels about him. She's enjoying being in the present.
Yes you read that right. For usually, Lily and her family and everyone she knows, usually every New Year they are all transported back in time to live a year in another time period. Lily knows everything about living in Roman Times, in Victorian Times. But phew, this last couple of years, she's stayed in the 21st century and got used to technology and chicken nuggets again. It's all good.
Until it's not. Once more Lily finds the New Year and birthday celebrations turn into a living history lesson as she becomes a servant to her school rival/bully in the 1600s. Her crush is a groom. Her brother is wearing hilarious blue tights. And she just might have got herself in trouble for witchcraft.
I 'went' with the idea. It was strange, unexplained. Seemingly good for some informal learning opportunities. But then inexplicably
*Slight Spoiler*
the story broke its own rules without giving any sort of explanation and moved time periods only partway through Lily's usual year in the past. Hmm. No other way to resolve the situation? I didn't understand the need for this.
So it's suspension of disbelief but also confusing within the Lily universe.
I liked the diary chat, I liked Lily and the historical jumping. I was rather bemused though, even if I did learn a few things. The story is unfinished but I'm not sure I'll personally continue it. Imagining readers of the right age will want to know what happens between Lily and the other two possible sides of a love triangle. There's no real danger/evil antagonist/device driving forward any possible explanation or plot besides the time travel and problems this brings.
A puzzle, though an endearing and enjoyably historical one.
For ages 10 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
Diary structure, which works well. Lily Tripp is coming up to her birthday (at New Year!), she's gathering up the courage to tell her long-time crush at school how she feels about him. She's enjoying being in the present.
Yes you read that right. For usually, Lily and her family and everyone she knows, usually every New Year they are all transported back in time to live a year in another time period. Lily knows everything about living in Roman Times, in Victorian Times. But phew, this last couple of years, she's stayed in the 21st century and got used to technology and chicken nuggets again. It's all good.
Until it's not. Once more Lily finds the New Year and birthday celebrations turn into a living history lesson as she becomes a servant to her school rival/bully in the 1600s. Her crush is a groom. Her brother is wearing hilarious blue tights. And she just might have got herself in trouble for witchcraft.
I 'went' with the idea. It was strange, unexplained. Seemingly good for some informal learning opportunities. But then inexplicably
*Slight Spoiler*
the story broke its own rules without giving any sort of explanation and moved time periods only partway through Lily's usual year in the past. Hmm. No other way to resolve the situation? I didn't understand the need for this.
So it's suspension of disbelief but also confusing within the Lily universe.
I liked the diary chat, I liked Lily and the historical jumping. I was rather bemused though, even if I did learn a few things. The story is unfinished but I'm not sure I'll personally continue it. Imagining readers of the right age will want to know what happens between Lily and the other two possible sides of a love triangle. There's no real danger/evil antagonist/device driving forward any possible explanation or plot besides the time travel and problems this brings.
A puzzle, though an endearing and enjoyably historical one.
For ages 10 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
May 14, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan for the ALC and the opportunity to provide my honest review.
As a longtime fan of both The Princess Diaries and time travel stories, I found I could not put this book down! Lily is your average twelve-going-on-thirteen-year-old, dealing with school, friends, crushes, all the usual things…but she also travels through time.
If you’re a fan of The Princess Diaries, you will love the format of this book. The writing style is very similar, with diary entries, lists, and notes between her and her friend Poppy.
I liked the concept of the way she travels through time. Lily’s life continues to move around her in the same fashion - all that changes is the year. As she travels through the past and not-so-distant past, she gets views of life in different centuries, while still dealing with the same Lily problems no matter the time period. For everyone else, life goes on as normal, only Lily notices the change.
Lily has a lot on her plate, dealing with a bully who everyone seems to worship, a best friend who wants to fit in, and a boy who may or may not feel the same way she does. There’s some serious points in the book (one notable moment is a misunderstanding of perceptions in a past culture which could have caused some major consequences), and some silly moments too (like trying to make a favorite comfort food hundreds of years in the past).
As someone who listened to the audiobook, I also wanted to point out the narrator Kerry Gilbert. Kerry so perfectly portrayed Lily’s voice, and was a delight to listen to. There were several moments where she made me laugh out loud while listening.
The story wraps up in a way that brings the main storyline to a satisfying conclusion but still leaves it open-ended for more adventures and more growth between the characters. I’m excited to see there are more travels to be had and can’t wait to read Lily’s next adventure!
As a longtime fan of both The Princess Diaries and time travel stories, I found I could not put this book down! Lily is your average twelve-going-on-thirteen-year-old, dealing with school, friends, crushes, all the usual things…but she also travels through time.
If you’re a fan of The Princess Diaries, you will love the format of this book. The writing style is very similar, with diary entries, lists, and notes between her and her friend Poppy.
I liked the concept of the way she travels through time. Lily’s life continues to move around her in the same fashion - all that changes is the year. As she travels through the past and not-so-distant past, she gets views of life in different centuries, while still dealing with the same Lily problems no matter the time period. For everyone else, life goes on as normal, only Lily notices the change.
Lily has a lot on her plate, dealing with a bully who everyone seems to worship, a best friend who wants to fit in, and a boy who may or may not feel the same way she does. There’s some serious points in the book (one notable moment is a misunderstanding of perceptions in a past culture which could have caused some major consequences), and some silly moments too (like trying to make a favorite comfort food hundreds of years in the past).
As someone who listened to the audiobook, I also wanted to point out the narrator Kerry Gilbert. Kerry so perfectly portrayed Lily’s voice, and was a delight to listen to. There were several moments where she made me laugh out loud while listening.
The story wraps up in a way that brings the main storyline to a satisfying conclusion but still leaves it open-ended for more adventures and more growth between the characters. I’m excited to see there are more travels to be had and can’t wait to read Lily’s next adventure!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one is fun, chaotic, and feels like reading someone’s actual diary… if that person kept accidentally time traveling.
Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler follows Lily, who unexpectedly finds herself slipping through time and landing in completely different historical moments—with zero preparation and no idea how to control it. Told through diary entries, the story captures her confusion, humor, and reactions as she tries to make sense of what’s happening while surviving each jump.
What makes this stand out is the format. The diary style makes everything feel immediate and personal, like you’re inside Lily’s head experiencing it with her. Her voice is funny, honest, and very real—she doesn’t suddenly become brave or knowledgeable just because she’s time traveling. She reacts like a normal person would: overwhelmed, sarcastic, and trying her best not to mess everything up.
The time travel aspect is handled in a light, entertaining way. This isn’t heavy sci-fi with complicated rules—it’s more about the situations Lily ends up in and how she navigates them. Each new time period brings something different, which keeps the story moving and adds variety.
The humor is a big part of the appeal. There’s a lot of awkward, fish-out-of-water moments that make it easy to read and easy to enjoy. At the same time, there are small moments of growth as Lily starts to adapt and understand more about herself.
If I had to critique anything, it’s that the story leans more on fun than depth. The time travel mechanics aren’t deeply explored, and some moments feel a bit quick or surface-level. But for the tone the book is going for, it works.
Overall, this is a light, entertaining, and quirky read that’s more about the journey than the rules.
Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler follows Lily, who unexpectedly finds herself slipping through time and landing in completely different historical moments—with zero preparation and no idea how to control it. Told through diary entries, the story captures her confusion, humor, and reactions as she tries to make sense of what’s happening while surviving each jump.
What makes this stand out is the format. The diary style makes everything feel immediate and personal, like you’re inside Lily’s head experiencing it with her. Her voice is funny, honest, and very real—she doesn’t suddenly become brave or knowledgeable just because she’s time traveling. She reacts like a normal person would: overwhelmed, sarcastic, and trying her best not to mess everything up.
The time travel aspect is handled in a light, entertaining way. This isn’t heavy sci-fi with complicated rules—it’s more about the situations Lily ends up in and how she navigates them. Each new time period brings something different, which keeps the story moving and adds variety.
The humor is a big part of the appeal. There’s a lot of awkward, fish-out-of-water moments that make it easy to read and easy to enjoy. At the same time, there are small moments of growth as Lily starts to adapt and understand more about herself.
If I had to critique anything, it’s that the story leans more on fun than depth. The time travel mechanics aren’t deeply explored, and some moments feel a bit quick or surface-level. But for the tone the book is going for, it works.
Overall, this is a light, entertaining, and quirky read that’s more about the journey than the rules.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lily is an accidental time traveler. The cool thing is she learns A LOT about history since she lives it first-hand. The bad thing(s)? She never knows when she will be whisked away to a different time, and never knows when she is getting whisked back to the present. The other bad thing is mean girl Georgia is always at her new time and place and is still mean and still trying to steal Lily's BFF. Ollie, her crush, is also there too and she thinks he likes her back, but they can never quite find the time to clarify their perspectives on their relationship.
There is so much to like about this book! I'm always intrigued with the idea of time travel, so the title itself caught my eye. I absolutely loved how the author tied in so many random fun historical trivia facts (ladies in the 1600s drew pale blue veins on their foreheads - it was a sign of beauty!)
Lily faces typical middle school tween/young teen problems with mean girls, shifting friend dynamics and first crushes. She is a very relatable character and this book sends a good message about "those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind," when speaking of individualism and finding oneself.
Lily's bullet lists and the journal style format will appeal to readers who loved Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dork Diaries or Max Crumbly. This book would also be a great stepping stone for readers who enjoy Terri Libenson's "Emmie & Friends" series, Raina Telgemeier's "Sisters" Series, or Jennifer L. Holm's "Sunny" series. This book has been marketed as the "first in the series" and I will certainly be watching for next installments!
There is so much to like about this book! I'm always intrigued with the idea of time travel, so the title itself caught my eye. I absolutely loved how the author tied in so many random fun historical trivia facts (ladies in the 1600s drew pale blue veins on their foreheads - it was a sign of beauty!)
Lily faces typical middle school tween/young teen problems with mean girls, shifting friend dynamics and first crushes. She is a very relatable character and this book sends a good message about "those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind," when speaking of individualism and finding oneself.
Lily's bullet lists and the journal style format will appeal to readers who loved Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dork Diaries or Max Crumbly. This book would also be a great stepping stone for readers who enjoy Terri Libenson's "Emmie & Friends" series, Raina Telgemeier's "Sisters" Series, or Jennifer L. Holm's "Sunny" series. This book has been marketed as the "first in the series" and I will certainly be watching for next installments!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thirteen year old Lily Tripp never planned on being a time traveler. It just happens. One minute she’s in the twenty-first century, and then with the New Year’s countdown she finds herself in an entirely different era. Each year has new challenges and she has to learn about the customs and technology of each age from Victorian England to Ancient Rome to America in the 1970’s. Lily’s best friend Poppy, her nemesis Georgia, and her special friend Ollie appear wherever Lily “lands.” Her family and pets are there too, but everyone takes on a role different from the one they have in their original time frame. For example, in the seventeenth century, Lily is Georgia’s servant and sleeps on a trundle bed at Georgia’s side. Lily records all of her travels in a diary along with lists and special notes about her experiences.
As you can imagine, there is a lot of humor in this book. Readers are also exposed to the history of various time frames, and will have to decide how they would confront various situations. Being a young teenager is hard enough without being thrown into completely new expectations. Bullying and friendship are major themes. Young love in the form of a possible budding romance is woven into the story also. I liked watching the characters Lily and Poppy navigate the minefields inherent in being thirteen years old. The diary format was a good one for this tale. I will watch out for the next book in this series, and I recommend it for middle age readers, especially girls.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
As you can imagine, there is a lot of humor in this book. Readers are also exposed to the history of various time frames, and will have to decide how they would confront various situations. Being a young teenager is hard enough without being thrown into completely new expectations. Bullying and friendship are major themes. Young love in the form of a possible budding romance is woven into the story also. I liked watching the characters Lily and Poppy navigate the minefields inherent in being thirteen years old. The diary format was a good one for this tale. I will watch out for the next book in this series, and I recommend it for middle age readers, especially girls.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars This is a fun, easy to read fantasy with historical aspects throw in perfect for ages 10-14.
Lily Tripp is your typical 13-year-old girl, trying to navigate her way through school issues, friendships, crushes, and class bullies with one big exception. She also inexplicably time travels most every year when her birthday rolls around.
Written in a diary format the reader views life through Lily's eyes with her often hilarious writing style and authentic voice. I found her to be the quintessential young girl, whose focus upon getting a boyfriend, feeling awkward, hanging onto a friend, and traversing societal dynamics captures the essence of that age group so well. Regardless of the century, these are the things that matter to her, and middle-grade readers will find her relatable because of it.
The time travel aspect is unexplained, although I have my theories on how it started happening. Kids won't mind at all that there's no reason why she, and everyone she knows, pops into a different century on New Year's Day. It's one of those fun, magical plotlines that make a story come alive while teaching about history in the process.
I did not love the ending at all! It was so abrupt, inexplicable and left me asking "What just happened here?" It was just odd really.
Favorite lines:
"That which we think is immovable is as temporary as the leaves on the trees."
"The worst thing is to be the person who tries to keep everyone else in line-Who tries to force everyone to start following a trend or stop following it."
Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus, Giroux BYR for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own and freely given.
Lily Tripp is your typical 13-year-old girl, trying to navigate her way through school issues, friendships, crushes, and class bullies with one big exception. She also inexplicably time travels most every year when her birthday rolls around.
Written in a diary format the reader views life through Lily's eyes with her often hilarious writing style and authentic voice. I found her to be the quintessential young girl, whose focus upon getting a boyfriend, feeling awkward, hanging onto a friend, and traversing societal dynamics captures the essence of that age group so well. Regardless of the century, these are the things that matter to her, and middle-grade readers will find her relatable because of it.
The time travel aspect is unexplained, although I have my theories on how it started happening. Kids won't mind at all that there's no reason why she, and everyone she knows, pops into a different century on New Year's Day. It's one of those fun, magical plotlines that make a story come alive while teaching about history in the process.
I did not love the ending at all! It was so abrupt, inexplicable and left me asking "What just happened here?" It was just odd really.
Favorite lines:
"That which we think is immovable is as temporary as the leaves on the trees."
"The worst thing is to be the person who tries to keep everyone else in line-Who tries to force everyone to start following a trend or stop following it."
Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus, Giroux BYR for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own and freely given.
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April 27, 2026Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler
Lily Tripp Diaries Book 1
by Amelia Tait
Expected publication: May 12, 2026
3 out of 5 stars (rounded up from 2.5)
One-sentence summary: 12-year-old Lily Tripp travels to various parts of history with each New Year.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
To be honest, I don't have a lot of positive points to highlight from this book. It has short chapters and a cute storyline between Lily and a couple of her friends. The rest, though, doesn't work for me. I cannot imagine reading this book to a classroom or giving the book as a gift to my grandchildren when they are middle school students. There were two specific phrases that really turned me off from a book marketed to young readers: "screwed" and "freaking" don't belong in a book like this and were really jarring when they were used. "Sin is in," to describe the 1970s seemed a little inappropriate as well. This book seems to be confused as to the age group it is intended for.
I did like the author's note at the end, explaining that the historical details were real. I wish the book had focused on the details a little more, though, to make this book a more educational experience along with the storyline. It gives hints of a historical time period, but not enough for readers to really grab onto and learn about a time period.
Overall, this book was a miss for me. I would not add it to a classroom library or share it with loved ones in my life.
Lily Tripp Diaries Book 1
by Amelia Tait
Expected publication: May 12, 2026
3 out of 5 stars (rounded up from 2.5)
One-sentence summary: 12-year-old Lily Tripp travels to various parts of history with each New Year.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
To be honest, I don't have a lot of positive points to highlight from this book. It has short chapters and a cute storyline between Lily and a couple of her friends. The rest, though, doesn't work for me. I cannot imagine reading this book to a classroom or giving the book as a gift to my grandchildren when they are middle school students. There were two specific phrases that really turned me off from a book marketed to young readers: "screwed" and "freaking" don't belong in a book like this and were really jarring when they were used. "Sin is in," to describe the 1970s seemed a little inappropriate as well. This book seems to be confused as to the age group it is intended for.
I did like the author's note at the end, explaining that the historical details were real. I wish the book had focused on the details a little more, though, to make this book a more educational experience along with the storyline. It gives hints of a historical time period, but not enough for readers to really grab onto and learn about a time period.
Overall, this book was a miss for me. I would not add it to a classroom library or share it with loved ones in my life.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lily Tripp leads an interesting life, specifically because for some reason on her birthday—which happens to fall on January first—she is transported back to an indeterminate point in time. While everyone she knows appears alongside her, only Lily has any recollection of the time in which she was born. As the calendar turns to 2026, Lily finds herself thrown back to 1621, working as a servant before returning to her present. But even as life around her takes on a different sheen, she remains steadfastly in love with her dream beau, Ollie. This quirky, stream of consciousness-style novel is recounted as diary entries written by Lily herself. These passages are brief, conversational in tone, and often break the fourth wall, inviting readers into the story alongside Lily. Many British references appear in the writing and the dialogue, anchoring readers in the landscape of England throughout the book. Though the first in its series, the novel has a rocky and unfocused start that leaves readers wondering about missing previous installments. However, after this initial confusion, readers find Lily’s experience to be an interesting approach to learning about historical time periods from the perspective of a young teen. Designed to continue into many more stories, this initial installment of Lily Tripp’s life story is a fun idea that will please casual readers despite the weaknesses in its overall delivery.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler has a super fun idea right out of the gate. A teen girl randomly time traveling and stumbling through awkward situations in different eras sounds like chaos in the best way. And at first, it is. The diary format makes it easy to read, and there are genuinely funny moments that had me smiling.
For a while, I was into it. New time periods, embarrassing situations, friendship drama, all good stuff. Lily has that relatable “why is this happening to me” energy that works really well.
But then something strange happened. Every time the story started getting interesting, it sort of hit a reset button. New time jump, same type of problem, same kind of jokes. After a while, it felt like Lily was stuck in her own personal time loop of mild chaos. I kept thinking, okay this is where it really takes off, and then… nope, we’re doing this again.
That said, it is still a fun, light read. It definitely leans into humor and doesn’t take itself too seriously, which works in its favor. I can see younger readers enjoying it a lot more, especially if they like diary-style stories and a bit of silliness.
Overall, it is entertaining but a little repetitive. Not bad, just not as exciting as it could have been once the premise really got going.
For a while, I was into it. New time periods, embarrassing situations, friendship drama, all good stuff. Lily has that relatable “why is this happening to me” energy that works really well.
But then something strange happened. Every time the story started getting interesting, it sort of hit a reset button. New time jump, same type of problem, same kind of jokes. After a while, it felt like Lily was stuck in her own personal time loop of mild chaos. I kept thinking, okay this is where it really takes off, and then… nope, we’re doing this again.
That said, it is still a fun, light read. It definitely leans into humor and doesn’t take itself too seriously, which works in its favor. I can see younger readers enjoying it a lot more, especially if they like diary-style stories and a bit of silliness.
Overall, it is entertaining but a little repetitive. Not bad, just not as exciting as it could have been once the premise really got going.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Language: PG13 (18 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
New Year’s is a stressful time for Lily (12yo) because she never knows if the new year will actually be the next one. Lily was born in 2013, but she has also lived in 1922 and 122 CE—and while all of her family and friends (and enemies) have time traveled on New Year’s with her, Lily seems to be the only one who remembers. This time, all Lily wants to do is stay away from Georgia and tell her crush how she feels.
Lily’s childhood through the ages is fascinating and funny. Tait did a lot of research to accurately describe the different eras she sends her characters to, and it is a very enjoyable way to learn about history. Middle school is difficult, and it’s easy to fantasize that things would be better if circumstances were different. I love that Lily’s story shows readers that changing what year you live in doesn’t change who you are—only you get to make the choice to change or not.
Lily is English. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol and of nudity in art. The violence rating is for mild assault and mentions of animal sacrifices and biological warfare.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
New Year’s is a stressful time for Lily (12yo) because she never knows if the new year will actually be the next one. Lily was born in 2013, but she has also lived in 1922 and 122 CE—and while all of her family and friends (and enemies) have time traveled on New Year’s with her, Lily seems to be the only one who remembers. This time, all Lily wants to do is stay away from Georgia and tell her crush how she feels.
Lily’s childhood through the ages is fascinating and funny. Tait did a lot of research to accurately describe the different eras she sends her characters to, and it is a very enjoyable way to learn about history. Middle school is difficult, and it’s easy to fantasize that things would be better if circumstances were different. I love that Lily’s story shows readers that changing what year you live in doesn’t change who you are—only you get to make the choice to change or not.
Lily is English. The mature content rating is for mentions of alcohol and of nudity in art. The violence rating is for mild assault and mentions of animal sacrifices and biological warfare.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
May 14, 2026
Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler
By Amelia Tait
Release Date: 5.12.26
Thank you, @Mackidsbooks, for an e-ARC of Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler.
Entering the mind of a teenager through conversational journal entries, Lily is your ordinary 13 year old dealing with the complexities of friends, school, fashion, crushes, etc except the part where she uncontrollably time travels.
I really enjoyed the "diary" format; it felt as though Lily was sharing her story directly with me through her writing and lists. I also thought the historical "tidbits" provided during her travels were perfectly pitched for a middle-grade audience, informative without being overwhelming.
Where I struggled slightly was the narrative focus. The story introduces the "why" behind Lily’s time travel early on, but the conclusion seemed to shift toward a different concentration entirely. I also found myself wishing for even more time travel to explore different historical periods. Ultimately, the ending felt a bit unfinished with several questions left unanswered.
Still, this is a fun, engaging read that the middle-grade audience will enjoy!
By Amelia Tait
Release Date: 5.12.26
Thank you, @Mackidsbooks, for an e-ARC of Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler.
Entering the mind of a teenager through conversational journal entries, Lily is your ordinary 13 year old dealing with the complexities of friends, school, fashion, crushes, etc except the part where she uncontrollably time travels.
I really enjoyed the "diary" format; it felt as though Lily was sharing her story directly with me through her writing and lists. I also thought the historical "tidbits" provided during her travels were perfectly pitched for a middle-grade audience, informative without being overwhelming.
Where I struggled slightly was the narrative focus. The story introduces the "why" behind Lily’s time travel early on, but the conclusion seemed to shift toward a different concentration entirely. I also found myself wishing for even more time travel to explore different historical periods. Ultimately, the ending felt a bit unfinished with several questions left unanswered.
Still, this is a fun, engaging read that the middle-grade audience will enjoy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I would have been completely obsessed with this as a tween, and even now I still had a blast reading it!
The story follows Lilly, a tween who is thrown into a different time period every New Year’s Day. As if growing up was not already confusing enough, she also has to learn how to survive in unfamiliar worlds. We watch her navigate crushes, friendships (both new and old), bullies, and her own sense of identity, all while time traveling.
The concept really stands out. It feels fresh and creative while still delivering that comforting, classic coming of age feel. I especially loved the diary style writing! It made everything feel more personal and real, like we are growing alongside Lilly and experiencing each moment with her. The historical details were woven in naturally and added depth without feeling overwhelming. And the ending was warm and left me with the biggest smile.
If you love coming of age stories with a unique twist and a lot of heart, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audiobook via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The story follows Lilly, a tween who is thrown into a different time period every New Year’s Day. As if growing up was not already confusing enough, she also has to learn how to survive in unfamiliar worlds. We watch her navigate crushes, friendships (both new and old), bullies, and her own sense of identity, all while time traveling.
The concept really stands out. It feels fresh and creative while still delivering that comforting, classic coming of age feel. I especially loved the diary style writing! It made everything feel more personal and real, like we are growing alongside Lilly and experiencing each moment with her. The historical details were woven in naturally and added depth without feeling overwhelming. And the ending was warm and left me with the biggest smile.
If you love coming of age stories with a unique twist and a lot of heart, this is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audiobook via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 13, 2026
I would have adored this book in middle school so much. It has two of my biggest loves time travel and an epistolary format. Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler felt like middle grade version of The Princess Diaries crossed with Oona Out of Order. I listened to the audiobook while following along with the ebook copy. Kerry Gilbert's narration was perfect for Lily's voice.
It was an interesting story with characters I enjoyed seeing different versions of throughout time. I thought the premise was very interesting in this book, especially the way Amelia Tait decided to take the time traveling. This is supposed to be the start of a series and I know I will check out further adventures with Lily.
Highly recommend for middle grade readers.
*Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and Amelia Tait for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
It was an interesting story with characters I enjoyed seeing different versions of throughout time. I thought the premise was very interesting in this book, especially the way Amelia Tait decided to take the time traveling. This is supposed to be the start of a series and I know I will check out further adventures with Lily.
Highly recommend for middle grade readers.
*Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and Amelia Tait for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this ARC.
This would be appropriate for 10-12 age readers.
So, Lily is a normal girl, on the surface, she starts writing a diary - and we get to know her friends, crushes and enemies.
Then all of a sudden she starts traveling through time she winds up in the 1690s and then 1970s- she is from present day - and all the people she meets are the same people she knows from the present day. It ends with her being in the 70s so I don't know if in book two we will see if she is maybe hurt and in a coma or how that part of the story will work out.
Defintely more for a child - a lot of drama that me as a 50 year old who would just say "bleep" this - and walk away from :)
This would be appropriate for 10-12 age readers.
So, Lily is a normal girl, on the surface, she starts writing a diary - and we get to know her friends, crushes and enemies.
Then all of a sudden she starts traveling through time she winds up in the 1690s and then 1970s- she is from present day - and all the people she meets are the same people she knows from the present day. It ends with her being in the 70s so I don't know if in book two we will see if she is maybe hurt and in a coma or how that part of the story will work out.
Defintely more for a child - a lot of drama that me as a 50 year old who would just say "bleep" this - and walk away from :)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am wildly underwhelmed and wondering what the point of this book even was. It feels very unfinished. And what is there feels shallow and focused far too much on mean girl drama and whether or not bras are important during the time period Lily is currently in.
Also? Why was she time traveling? We have no answers to that.
And the break up of the chapters felt weird and jarring. It's a diary. Why is one day split into multiple entries? Some only a paragraph. A notebook doesn't know that you left for five minutes, you don't have to start a new entry and apologize when you get back. It got really annoying.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Also? Why was she time traveling? We have no answers to that.
And the break up of the chapters felt weird and jarring. It's a diary. Why is one day split into multiple entries? Some only a paragraph. A notebook doesn't know that you left for five minutes, you don't have to start a new entry and apologize when you get back. It got really annoying.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Amelia Tate started her trilogy off strong with Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler. We meet all the characters in 2025, but they somehow stay the same in all the other time periods, including Victorian England and Roman Britain. Ollie’s best friend Poppy is always her friend, and Ollie is always Lily’s secret crush. At almost 13 years old, Lily also has an archnemesis, Georgia, who bullies her in every time period. It’s hard enough to be a teenager, but it makes it exponentially more difficult when you aren’t sure how to act because you are unfamiliar with the historical time period. Lily Tripp makes some fumbles in her efforts to fit in with the other teens, but she also learns a lot about history and friendship in this time travel tale.
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